Tag Archive | product reviews

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara Blonde-Review

This a great eyebrow color if you have light eyebrows like me.  I’ve tried pencils and powders in the past, but was starting to veer off into Joan Crawford land. Not a good look for a middle aged woman.  My mom use to get her eyebrows dyed dark brown. They looked ridiculous as she was a red head, plus she was the neighborhood Avon lady so she should have known better.

 

This isNYX Tinted Brow Mascara 1-4-15.jpg-1 a very natural looking color and stays on all day.  I wear glasses so I’m fairly lazy when it comes to my brows.  I should probably tweeze more, but I really don’t care.  Besides I have poor vision and I can barely see to put make up on. I bought at where else- Ulta for $6.99, but I had a store coupon so it was less than $6!

Ulta Freebies

Is it possible to be in love with a store? It sounds so wrong, on so many levels, but I love Ulta!  I went today (my second trip this week) to get some skin care products and got a ton of freebies.  It’s my birthday so I got a free Ulta eye shadow palette with five yummy brown shades, plus $10 off anything in the store.  The Mario Badescu skin care I purchased was supposed to come with a nice gift.  They didn’t have the gift, so they gave me a whole bunch of great samples. They actually goofed up and gave me an extra skin care freebie package.  I didn’t realize I got the extra package until I got home. Score one for me!

I purchased the following Mario Badescu items:

Oil Free Moisturizer with a 30 SPF-$28

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser-$16

Cellufirm Drops-$25

Hyaluronic Eye Cream-$18

Ulta Freebies 2 1-14-15Mario Badescu Ulta Haul 1-14-15I got everything for $59! Woo hoo! I used my $10 certificate and rewards points to save $28!  I’ll do a review once I have used the skin care for several weeks.  I did a lot of research before my purchase, and everything I bought was highly rated.  Given the moderate price of the skin care and the generous sizes, I’m excited to see the results. I assumed the Mario products were high priced since they are in the same section as the high end skin care at Ulta.  This line has been around since 1967, so they must be doing something right. Stay tuned.

Ipsy January 2015 Glam Bag Review

Oh Ipsy.com we’ve been seeing each other for more than two years now, and you still amaze me every month.  Why just yesterday I was telling a saleslady at Ulta all about you. I couldn’t believe she had never heard of you.  I gave her the quick low down. GO AND SIGN UP FOR IPSY NOW!  I think there may be a waiting list.  I was getting a mini facial, trying out the Mario Badescu skin care line (which I loved), when I brought you up.

 I was so hoping I would get my Jan. bag before my birthday, and I did.  Here’s what I got this month:

 All Over Shadow brush-Elizabeth Mott-value $9.99-OMG! I love it! Very soft and densely packed bristles.

(Malin+Goetz) Mojito Lip Balm- value $12- a luscious super hydrating gel, not sticky at all.

Bella Pierre Cosmetics shimmer eye shadow in Excite-value $14.99-a white pearlescent loose powder shadow.

Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut eye shadow in Treasure-I couldn’t find an individual value for this pale bronze shadow, but it’s a really pretty color.

Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream with avocado,Ipsy January 2015 Glambag Moroccan Argan oil, and shea butter.  This is so new it doesn’t have a price on the company website. I’m anxious to try it.

The value was well over the measly $10 I paid.  I so love a good deal.

 If you are thinking about trying a beauty box subscription, I highly recommend Ipsy.com.   If I was a crack head, this would be my crack. Kind of like Ulta is my crack. Oh I’m such a goofball. Alas, a well made up goofball.

@ipsy #ipsy #januaryglambag

 www.ulta.com

http://www.ipsy.com

Conair Heat Waves Hot Rollers Review- They’re back!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!   When I say the Conair Heat Waves rollers are back, I mean hot rollers never went away, they just did for me. I myself have not used hot rollers for many years. I had no need; I just had a vast array of curling irons.  My hair is naturally curly, but I straighten it.  In this past year I’ve come down with the dreaded ‘menopause hair’. It sucks! Of course I’ve been in menopause for almost six years, so I guess I should consider myself lucky I didn’t get it sooner.  Menopause hair is gray, wiry, frizzy, and generally uncontrollable.  It especially blows for me because up until June of 2013, I had the most amazing hair I have ever had in my life. It was long, blonde, very healthy looking. You know your hair looks good when people you work with (that you know don’t like you) compliment you on your hair. Then in June of 2013, my hair was changed forever.  I had gotten some low lights for my blonde hair that ended up being too dark.  I went back to the salon to get it corrected, and my stylist left the bleach on my hair too long. My hair was damaged beyond repair.  I had been seeing this woman for 3 years, and I always tip very well. I was crushed.  My hair broke off and I had visibly thin spots on my scalp.  I spent nearly $400 buying hair pieces to cover up the damage.

We as women are usually obsessed with our hair.  A good hair day can make a big difference on your outlook for the day. I’m middle aged, so having awesome hair was really a treat for me.  My hair finally grew back, but it’s never been the same since.  Luckily for me I look okay with my hair up. But I’ve been wearing my hair up for the past eighteen months. You kind of look like an old lady when you wear your hair up all the time.  I take pride in my appearance, by wearing make-up and having a stylish wardrobe.

I never did tell my former stylist how much she ruined my hair.  I was afraid I might punch her if I went back. It’s ironic because she was always telling me what great condition my hair was in, and I could go for a long time between haircuts and highlight touch ups. My dermatologist told me I shouldn’t put any bleach on my hair for at least twelve months, use Moroccan oil and take biotin supplements.

I went to back to a salon I had frequented in the past, but stopped going to because they got too expensive.  I was told that there really wasn’t anything they could do.  The stylist told me to go on Pinterest to look for cute up dos. Are you flipping kidding me? Nothing I can do?  I had spent over $300 at this salon getting partial highlights and hair cuts on several occasions.  The stylist told me she felt sorry for me, but really could not do anything about my hair.

Conair Heat Waves Hot Rollers 1-3-15
Pre Jacked up Hair  Jan 2013

Before hair disaster

Well, I tried yet another salon.  This time the stylist was older and was very knowledgeable. She was familiar with my ‘menopause’ hair and suggested hot rollers. What an angel!  I always use a heat protecting product when I style my hair, but the Conair Heat Waves rollers are flocked, they also heat up in 85 seconds.  What a great alternative to using a curling iron. I’m getting the same results but not damaging my hair.

I bought my Conair Heat Waves at Ulta.com for $15.99, the regular price is $33.99, but they were on sale and I had a 20% off coupon. Here is a link to Ulta.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod540578&skuId=2050458&_requestid=189261

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil-Review

I received a full size Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil in one of my Ipsy.com packages.  This is the best all-around highlighting product I have ever used.  I’ve been wearing make up for ages, and am always on the lookout for a great highlighter.  The Chella pencil I received in Ivory is for fair skin. It’s a matte finish and works great on concealing blemishes. I use it above my eyes and also as a highlight color under my brows.

Chella Ivory Lace-highlighter-pencilAs I’ve gotten older my nose has gotten bigger, along with my ears, which blows. I put a thin line down the center of my nose, and blend to make it look thinner.  It works great. The Chella website is not up, but you can buy the Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil at Amazon.com and Dermstore.com.  I’ve put links below. I’ve also included a short tutorial on the pencil that shows you ten different ways to use it.  The cost is $18, but well worth the price. I’ve used mine every day for the past few months, and still have half of it left.  The pencil is a creamy consistency, but stays put once you have it on.

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Highlighter+Pencil_31835.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f6Wqtvd3PE

http://www.amazon.com/Chella-Lace-Highlighter-Pencil-Count/dp/B004VM968U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419382148&sr=8-1&keywords=chella

http://chella.com/

 

Galaxy Chic Baked Eye shadow by Cosmetics in Asteroid-Review

Having had an Ipsy.com subscription for over two years, I’ve gotten a ton of stuff.  I got the above referenced eye shadow last year.  I only use it on the weekends when I really want my blue eyes to stand out.  I wear glasses so every little bit helps. It is the most beautiful bronzy shade I have ever seen.  It has flecks of blue in a bronze base.  I went to the company website today to get pricing, and they only sell it in a palette of 18 shades.  The price is right, at only $7.95 for the palette.  Well I don’t need 18 more eye shadows, so I found it on EBay, and I’m bidding on it right now. Dang, if I had only known I wouldn’t be able to find it again I would have bought more last year. This is what happens when you have so much flipping make up like me.  I can’t help it.  I love trying new things, and hate to throw stuff out in case I might use it someday.  That was how I discovered Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil.  I had gotten it in one of my Ipsy bags, and used it for a rash I had on my face.  Not only did the Argan Oil clear up my rash, but my skin looks amazing now.

I think I need to start using all of the Ipsy stuff more often. Here are some photos of how awesome this eye shadow color is. If anyone knows of a similar color, please comment below.  Oh and I know my brows need some help.  They are blonde, and a bit sparse, but I’m working what I got. Galaxy Chic Baked Eye Shadow 12-14-14 Galaxy Chic Baked Eye Shadow 12-14-14.jpg-AsteroidHopefully I’m not heading to Joan Crawford town with my brows.  Plus I’m basically blind without my glasses, so I’m thinking it may be time for one of those handy dandy magnifying mirrors. Man it’s hell getting old. Thanks!Galaxy Chic Baked Eye Shadow 12-14-14.jpg-Eyes open

Dollar Tree Booyah-Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish, 3N1 Nail Art Pen

I truly love the fact that Dollar Tree is next to my local grocery store.  On my visit to Dollar Tree this week I found some great Revlon nail polish.  I had to dig through a lot of stuff, as the kid who worked there was putting stuff away all over the place.  I picked up five Revlon Top Speed fast dry nail enamels.  They are Fire #510, a true red shade, Espresso #840, a deep shade of brown, Grape #660 a dark amethyst color, Vintage #570 a lovely fuchsia color, and my favorite Varnished #360, a shimmery pewter.

I change my nail Dollar Tree 10-22-14 polish every few days.  Last week I went to a wedding and had on twelve coats from the previous weeks.  I just keep painting over the old color, and no one is the wiser.  I get compliments on my nails all the time. I tried finding the colors I bought online and found out they were all discontinued.  Who cares?? I got them for a buck each.   I did find the polishes on Ebay and Amazon for much more.   The total price elsewhere $31, I paid $5! Revlon is a good brand of polish, and stays on much better than really cheap polish like LA Colors.

The polish was repackaged, so they seem pretty darn fresh. And like the name says, they dry superfast.  I do my nails before I go to bed, as I don’t want to waste any prime time I could be watching something stupid on TV. Or surfing the internet for new and exciting information.  I actually do my nails in the bathroom as the lighting is good, since I don’t wear my glasses while applying.  I guess I’m lucky any of it gets on my nails, as I’m blind as a bat without them.  Oh wait, I’m hunched over with my eyeballs six inches away. Man, its hell getting old.

I also got a Sassy & Chic 3N1 Nail Art pen in Blueberry.  I’m having all kinds of fun with nail art these days. I got a Sassy & Chic 7 Way Nail Buffer.  Not a bad haul for $7, wait no $8 counting the Tootsie Rolls I got, which lasted for two whole days.  A girl’s gotta have some candy while she’s doing her nails.

Ipsy October 2014 Beauty Candy Glam Bag Review

OMG! I think this is my favorite bag yet!  The Nicole by OPI nail polish is to die for.  It is a super cool dark cherry red color.  The VolumEyes mascara by Model Co. is awesome.  I’ve already used it twice since I got my bag on Oct. 17th. It’s a blackish gray, that really brings out my blue eyes. Of course I poked myself in the eye this morning, being in a hurry as always. I think I’ll save this mascara for the weekend.  The name says volume, but I got amazing length as well.  I also got Epice Purifying Exfoliant which I’m anxious to try. My bag also included Rose Berry Figs and Rouge hand cream.  It smells like a delicious fruit tart. I don’t know if I want to eat it or just put it on my hands.

Last but not least I got some lip gloss by Starlooks in Guilty Pleasure, a soft rosy color that smells like candy.  This was a nice way to end my lousy week.  The teal quilted cosmetic bag was the icing on the cake.   Enjoy!  ipsy.com, you are the bomb!

Ipsy Oct. 2014 Glam Bag Review photo Nicole by Opi-Feeling Very Cherry

Sept. 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Yippee! I got my September Ipsy glam bag today.  Lots of good stuff.  The cosmetic bag is a pewter colored bag with silver studs.  The five items I received are as follows:  Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair deep conditioning mask for hair.  I can’t wait to try this, as I color my hair and need a deep conditioner. Leeanni Eco 3 in 1 Revolution Light, a toner, serum and moisturizer combined.  Sounds like this will save me some time in the morning. Pacifica Natural Minerals eyeliner pencil in brown. Hikari lipstick in Cabernet, which is a dark pink, matte lipstick. Last, but certainly not least is a Crown Crease/Shadow brush.  This is the third eye make-up brush I’ve gotten from Ipsy.  I love the fact the brush is a dual brush.  The bristles are very soft, and the brush is well made.

I wasn’t real crazy about the lipstick, as the color was a bit too bright for me. I wish I had a purse that looked like the cosmetic bag for this month.  I’m such a little kid waiting for my bag each month.  I knew it was coming today, and had my hubby throw the pink package upstairs to me after he got the mail.  He asked me how I knew it came today, and I told him I saw the fuchsia package as he was walking up the driveway. I will most likely give the lipstick to my niece.  She loves getting packages from her aunty, because she knows she’s getting some great hair, make up and skin care products.

Sept. 2014 Ipsy Glam Baghttp://www.ipsy.com